Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron Club

RSYS Youth Team Represent Australia at Governor's Cup

2026-07-21T01:24:44Z

Next week RSYS sailors James Hayhoe, Jameson Prescott and James Hopkins will represent the club at the Governor's Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship, the oldest international youth match racing regatta in the world.

Hosted annually in Newport Beach, California by the Balboa Yacht Club, the 59th edition takes place from 27 July to 1 August 2026. The tournament features the world's top-ranked youth skippers (under 23 years old) racing in the custom Governor's Cup 22 sloops.

Twelve teams from Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Sweden, and the USA will contest the regatta. Clubs represented include:

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, AUS
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Squadron, AUS
West Vancouver Yacht Club, CAN
Royal Danish Yacht Club, DEN
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, NZL
Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club, SWE
Balboa Yacht Club, USA
Chicago Yacht Club, USA
New Bedford Yacht Club, USA
Newport Harbor Yacht Club, USA

The Governor’s Cup has served as a gateway for future champions in collegiate competition, the Olympics, Congressional Cup, Swedish Match Tour and numerous America’s Cups. The Governor’s Cup has a special relationship with the America’s Cup with the latter having visited Balboa Yacht Club during 'Gov Cup Week' twice in recent years. Many of the finest sailors in the world including two-time America’s Cup winner James Spithill (AUS), Cole Tapper (AUS), Justin Callahan, Taylor Canfield and Paul Cayard, have all sailed in the Gov Cup.

Balboa Yacht Club members open their homes to billet the sailors for the week of competition. The Gov Cup TV team will provide ten live shows during the week of the regatta including morning pre-race shows, the Friday and Saturday press conferences, the prize giving Saturday evening, and of course live multiple camera coverage of the racing Friday and Saturday. Watch the shows live on Facebook and YouTube, or a replay on demand.

James Hayhoe, Jameson Prescott and James Hopkins are all members of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s keelboat program that was founded in 2000 and aims to provide our younger Members with the opportunity to become involved with keelboat racing at a Club, national and international level.

Hayhoe’s team finished equal first in the recent Captain John Piper Regatta hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

They were also crowned Champions at the Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup! hosted by Royal New Zealand in March this year, marking the first time Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron has lifted the trophy in the event’s 36-year history.

Hayhoe's team have been on the water with the sun rising for the last few months preparing for the regatta.

Follow the Governor’s Cup here

Sailing Forum Member Feedback

2026-07-15T03:40:44Z

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to our recent Sailing Forum.

The Forum provided an opportunity for members and crews to discuss the future of sailing at the Squadron, review the feedback received through our recent sailing survey, and share ideas on how we can continue to grow participation and enhance the sailing experience for everyone.

We greatly appreciate your time, your enthusiasm, and the valuable insights you shared throughout the discussion.

View the Sailing Forum Report here

RSYS Team Hayhoe, confirmed winners of the Captain John Piper Regatta

2026-07-14T04:38:45Z

Gusty winds and unpredictable weather on the weekend almost resulted in dual winners of the CYCA's Captain John Piper Regatta, however, once count backs were taken into consideration first place was awarded to RSYS Team Skippered by James Hayhoe, with Jameson Prescott, Lauren Tandy, James Hopkins and Lachlan Jansen. The second Squadron team skippered by Massimo Henderson, with Michael King, Jess Ellis, Monique McEnearney and Alistair Kernaghan came in fourth place.

Skipper Massimo Henderson writes;

Building off the learnings from the CYCA’s Match Cup two weeks prior, both Squadron teams were able to take those lessons and build momentum into the Captain John Piper regatta. The racing started in the struggling westerly breeze, with an entertaining first race of the regatta resulting in a win before the start gun due to a black flag penalty inflicted by Massimo Henderson. Unfortunately, the technical racing on Saturday was cut short due to disrupted breeze, with both Squadron teams of James and Massimo undefeated after 4 races at the end of the day.

We were very optimistic about Sunday with both teams racing well and a great breeze forecasted. However, the cold front which blasted through early Sunday morning quickly built, allowing only one chaotic race between the Squadron teams to decide the podium positions. Ultimately the results were dominated by the incomplete round robin and the dynamics of the draw, but thankfully James Hayhoe’s team came out on top to win the event on the tiebreak with RNZYS’ Josh Hyde. Massimo Henderson narrowly missed out on the podium on tiebreak and ended the event in 4th position

With both teams racing well and pushing towards the front, it was a shame to have a second event in two weeks suffer from an incomplete round robins and no final series, prematurely ending the complex strategic races which challenged crews to think outside the box with attack and defence.

We’re now looking forward to the NSW State Championship at the end of August to build on our successes.

Icebreaker Regatta 2026 – Winter Delivers a memorable event!

2026-07-14T02:28:56Z

The inaugural OK Icebreaker Regatta certainly lived up to its name, serving up two completely different days of racing and reminding everyone why Winter sailing on Sydney Harbour is never boring.

Saturday greeted the fleet with a pleasant 6-8 knot WNW breeze, providing almost perfect OK conditions. Three races were completed with plenty of close racing throughout the fleet, close finishes and more than a few passing opportunities around the course. There wasn’t much separating the sailors all day, with every place hard-earned.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an OK regatta without a few sailors discovering that the Sailing Instructions aren’t just decorative reading. A couple of competitors paid the price for some creative course interpretation, providing plenty of entertainment (for everyone else).

If Saturday was the warm-up act, Sunday was the main event.

The fleet looked out over a calm harbour while rigging and was lulled into thinking another gentle day was ahead. The sail out to the course began in a comfortable 6-8 knots… but Sydney Harbour had other ideas.

By the time racing got underway, the breeze had built steadily before really switching on. The race committee later recorded gusts of 27.5 knots from the committee boat, and with wind against tide creating a steep, unforgiving chop, the harbour became a true Icebreaker.

Eighteen brave sailors started the day, but as the breeze continued to build, the fleet gradually thinned. Eighteen became eight, eight became six, and by the final race only the hardiest (or perhaps most stubborn) remained to battle it out.

Despite the testing conditions, there were plenty of smiles back at the club afterward. Best of all, everyone returned safely with no injuries, no major breakages and plenty of stories that will undoubtedly grow stronger with every retelling. Just the way an OK regatta should finish.

Congratulations to our prize winners:
* 1st: David Clark
* 2nd: Brett Morris
* 3rd: Mark Skelton
* Women’s Trophy: Pamela Johnston
* Handicap Winner: Matthew Ramalay

A huge thank you goes to everyone who made the weekend possible, including the race committee, featuring former OK sailors Ian Kingsford Smith and Phil Moloney, Race Officer Rob Ridley and David Ross, our support boat crews, mark-laying teams, dock staff, and all the volunteers who worked behind the scenes.

A special thank you also goes to RSYS Member Matthew Ramalay for coordinating the regatta and generously donating the new Icebreaker Trophy, which we’re sure will become a prized piece of OK history.

Winter sailing doesn’t always deliver sunshine, but it certainly delivered a memorable weekend. We look forward to doing it all again next year; hopefully with just enough breeze to keep everyone honest.

Reported by the NSW OK Dinghy Association
See the full results

Olivia Lee Takes on the World at the 420 World Championships

2026-07-14T00:22:24Z

RSYS sailor Olivia Lee and her sailing partner Aaveer Patil-Chaudhari are competing against the world's best at the 2026 International 420 World Championships on Lake Biscarrosse, France.

The scale of the event is impressive, with 304 International 420s competing across three divisions. Olivia and Aaveer are racing in the highly competitive Men/Mixed fleet, where an incredible 147 boats line up on the start line. The above photo captures the intensity of the racing, with boats packed tightly together as they battle for every advantage.

Australia is represented by just two teams in the Men/Mixed fleet. Alongside Olivia and Aaveer are William and Stewart Rose from Mordialloc Sailing Club in Victoria, competing together as a father-and-son team. At just 11 years of age, William is the youngest sailor at the championships!

Australia is also represented in the Women's fleet by Victoria Lin and Annabelle Sampson from RPAYC, while the Under 17 fleet features a further 108 boats, highlighting the depth and strength of international 420 sailing.

For Olivia and Aaveer, the World Championships are an important stepping stone as they prepare for the 2026 Youth Sailing World Championships, to be held in Vilamoura, Portugal, from 11–19 December. Racing against such a large and talented international fleet provides invaluable experience as they continue their development on the world stage.

Everyone at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron wishes Olivia and Aaveer the very best for the remainder of the championship.

Event Website

Pre-Read for the 29 July Members' Update Meeting

2026-07-17T02:08:53Z

View Executive Summary View Fact Pack View Data & Financial Modelling

Members are encouraged to review the Squadron 2035 supporting information ahead of the Member Update on Wednesday 29 July and the General Meeting on Tuesday 25 August.

The Member Update will present the Squadron 2035 business case, Member Survey results and details of the General Meeting, while supporting documents are available to help members understand the analysis behind the proposed strategy.

Members will also receive a personalised survey link to provide their feedback, ensuring they are well informed before considering the Club's future strategic direction.

RSYS Sailor Olivia Lee Selected to Represent Australia in the 2026 Youth World Championship.

2026-07-14T00:37:31Z

RSYS Sailor, Olivia Lee has been selected to represent Australia in the 2026 Youth Sailing Team for the Youth Sailing World Championships.

Olivia currently in France and finding out the hard way how to sail in a large fleet. It is a wonderful experience for her, and we are looking forward to Olivia sharing her experience with her fellow RSYS Youth members.

Read more

Whispers of Chaos

2026-07-09T08:28:18Z

The Cellar is proud to have both the Whispers of Chaos White and Red in stock, a pair of wines from young Barossa winemaker Marcus Torzi. Marcus recently won the Best New Act trophy at the Young Gun of Wine Awards, an industry-respected program that celebrates Australia’s most exciting emerging wine labels and winemakers.

It is always pleasing to see a producer we have backed early receive this kind of recognition. Whispers of Chaos felt special from the first release: small-batch, thoughtful, quietly original wines that show a different side of the Barossa.

Wine runs in the family: Marcus is the son of Dom Torzi and Tracy Matthews of Torzi Matthews, who have been quietly making some of the Barossa and Eden Valley's best value wines for nearly thirty years. Raised in the Barossa and completing his viticulture and oenology degree at Adelaide University, Marcus works with minimal intervention, maturing his wines in Clayver stoneware and seasoned oak. We are very proud to have met Marcus and seen his potential before the wider spotlight arrived. Both wines are in the cellar now, and both punch well above their price.

2025 Whispers of Chaos Roussanne Riesling Semillon
An unusual blend that lands beautifully. Roussanne brings peach and almond richness, Riesling the spine, Semillon the freshness. Lemon zest and white florals on the nose, then a palate that manages to be both taut and generous, with a little oak smoothing the edges. Textural without being heavy, and it finishes long and clean. Try it with roast chicken, garlic prawns, or a soft washed rind cheese.
RRP: $38.00 | Member Price: $34.20

2024 Whispers of Chaos Sangiovese Cabernet, Barossa Valley SA
From a dry-grown, 29-year-old vineyard on ironstone soils at Moppa Hill in the Barossa's north-west, co-fermented with a portion of whole bunches, basket-pressed, then matured twelve months in seasoned French oak and Clayver. Think of it as a Barossa nod to Tuscany: red cherry and plum, savoury spice, fine tannin, and a long, easy finish. Medium-bodied and precise rather than loud. Made for charred duck, mushroom risotto, or a prosciutto pizza.
RRP: $38.00 | Member Price: $34.20

Mount Mary Entry Level Range

2026-07-09T23:29:38Z

Mount Mary Entry Level Range: New to the Cellar
Every year the club receives a very small allocation of Mount Mary wines to great fanfare and demand, with never enough to go around. Lucky for us, from the 2024 vintage Mount Mary has released a slightly larger and more accessible release under their Réflexion label. [MOU1]
The cellar would also like to introduce you to Mount Mary’s Marli Russell label which is worthy of its own, separate attention.

Réflexion
Réflexion wines are made entirely from Mount Mary estate grown fruit, primarily from the youngest plantings. The fruit grown on these vines is still developing towards
the quality and consistency demanded for Mount Mary Vineyard estate wines.

From time to time, depending on the vintage, the Winery will release limited quantities of red and white wines under the Réflexion label. Each bottle in the Réflexion range reflects a sense of place and time. Wines that while not quite meeting the exacting threshold of their estate range, are deserving of celebration in their own right. It is from these younger blocks that the Réflexion range is born, 100% estate-grown fruit, vinified and bottled at Mount Mary.

Where their estate wines are crafted with an eye firmly on the cellar, the Réflexion range is conceived in a more accessible spirit; approachable in youth, expressive early, and a true reflection of the vintage and the site from which they come.

For those looking for wines that taste like French Chardonnay and Pinot at twice the price, these are a very smart buy.

Marli Russell
In 2008, in response to changing environmental conditions and a desire to evaluate new varieties, the Middleton family began to establish additional vineyard areas at Mount Mary. They chose seven varieties that have been traditionally grown in the Rhone Valley of France with the vision to continue to explore the potential of their unique site, creating some new and exciting wines.

For the Marli Russell wines, the cooler, wetter spells of October and January imparted a brightness and lively tension to the RP1 white blend resulting in a taut, mineral-edged precision that speaks directly to those conditions. The dry February, meanwhile, lent the Grenache and Shiraz of the RP2 a focused, refreshing quality, with primary fruit that is vivid and expressive. These are wines shaped by a season of contrasts, and all the more interesting for it

The Wines

2024 Marli Russell RP1 White
“40% Marsanne, 40% Roussanne, 20% Clairette. On the bouquet, there's a nice touch of lanolin to go with the stone fruits and honeysuckle. It's mouth-filling, with a fine line of acidity keeping it fresh. Finishes saline and long. A wine to drink and enjoy now and over the next two to three years.”
94 Points, Phillip Rich – Halliday Wine Comanion
RRP: $48.00 | Member Price: $43.20.00

2024 Marli Russell RP2 Red
“Very pretty aromas of freshly picked raspberry, rose petal and spice. Brightly fruited and energetic, with gently grippy tannins and bright acidity making this a delicious wine to drink now and over the next two to three years.”
95 Points, Phillip Rich – Halliday Wine Companion
RRP: $61.00 | Member Price: $54.90

2021 Marli Russell RP2 Red
60% Grenache, 25% Shiraz, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault.
The nose shows the aromatics of all four varieties perfectly intertwined but still individually
expressive in their own way. Red fruits of poached strawberry, raspberry and cherry, along
with some darker nuances of stewed plum, liquorice and spice. The palate is dark and dense overlayed by the red fruits also detected on the nose added some sweeter, lighter, brighter characteristics. Tannin and acid stretch long and firmly through the core of this wine providing texture, structure and length.
RRP: $63.00 | Member Price: $56.70

2017 Marli Russell RP2 Red
55% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 20% Shiraz, 5% Cinsault
There is an array of fruit present on the nose including poached strawberry, cherries, redskin, and spice. The palate is light to medium bodied but shows so much persistence and length. There is a very fine line of tannin through the spine of this wine offering some structure and giving it a savoury edge. Whilst this wine is ready to be drunk and enjoyed immediately we believe it will continue to improve.
RRP: $65.00 | Member Price: $58.50

2024 Reflexion Chardonnay
“Made from younger-vine estate fruit. A bright green gold. Aromas of melon and fig, together with a gentle nuttiness and some marine scents. This is a lovely mouthful of wine; textured, flavoursome yet finely balanced. Finishes nutty and chalky. An affordable wine for Mount Mary aficionados”
95 Points, Phillip Rich – Halliday Wine Companion
RRP: $67.00 | Member Price: $60.30

2024 Reflexion Pinot Noir
“All estate fruit from young vines. A light, bright garnet. Perfumed with bright red fruits, spice and rose petal scents. Equally engaging on the light- to medium-bodied, harmonious and persistent palate. A delicious and well-priced wine from Mount Mary to drink now and over the next three to four years.”
95 Point, Phillip Rich – Halliday Wine Companion
RRP: $74.00 | Member Price: $66.60

2023 Reflexion Cabernets
“A kind of ‘baby Quintet’ is the gist. Ready to drink, also the idea. Per se. From a blend of 85% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc and 5% merlot.

Magnificent perfume, blue fruits, lavender, dried Italianate herbs, new leather, white pepper and choc mint. More of the same to taste with an attractive puddle of plum compote, dried fig and juicy, black cherry in the mix. Sloshes around the palate with visceral pleasure, a looser knit red with lusty flavour and yet a coolness underlying. Big glasses, fire side and getting lost in something else, but the wine as a backdrop. I can see it now.
94 Points, Mike Bennie – The Wine Front
RRP: $74.00 | Member Price: $66.60

Reflexion Sampler
1 x 2024 Reflexion Chardonnay
1 x 2024 Reflexion Pinot Noir
1 x 2023 Reflexion Cabernet
RRP: $215.00 | Member Price: $188.00

Marli Russell Sampler
1 x 2024 Marli Russell RP1 White
1 x 2024 Marli Russell RP2 Red
1 x 2021 Marli Russell RP2 Red
1 x 2017 Marli Russell RP2 Red
RRP: $237.00 | Member Price: $207.00

RSYS NYYC Women’s International Championship crew announced

2026-07-07T02:55:16Z

Author: Karyn Gojnich

In September 2026, the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) will host its inaugural Women’s International Championship, bringing together 20 elite female‑led teams from around the world to race in a fleet of IC37s. Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron secured an invitation to compete.

Over a year ago, we set out to do more than prepare for an international regatta. We set out to build a high-performance women's keelboat program. Since then, an incredible group of RSYS members have committed their time, energy and passion to this campaign. Together we've trained in all conditions, learned new skills, challenged one another and developed into a team that is stronger than the sum of its parts.

Every sailor in this squad has played an important role in our journey. Whether sailing, coaching, supporting or stepping into different crew positions, each has contributed to the culture, standards and camaraderie that define our program.

I am proud to introduce our full squad.

Our 2026 NYYC Women's International Championship Squad

Alexia Biggs, Alex Birrell, Annabelle Connery, Clare Crosswaite, Mina Ferguson, Alexandra Ford, Danielle Gerace, India Gilbert, Karyn Gojnich, Susan Hardy, Amanda Hicks, Emily Keg, Kim Ketelbey, Vicki Kornman, Michelle McGrath, Susan Metcalf, Natasha Miller, Angela Morrison, Gill Shearman, Annie Willmot, Brooke Wilson.

Our preparation has been helped enormously by Scott Lawson and David Ferguson making their IC37 Mittere available for us to train on. Scott and RSYS Coach Nev Wittey have also generously shared their time and knowledge to build our skills on the boat. Also supporting us laying marks and videoing manoeuvres has been Alistair Metcalf and Jono McCray.

Selecting the crew to represent the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron at the inaugural New York Yacht Club Women's International Championship in Newport this September has been one of the toughest decisions of the campaign. The standard across the squad has been exceptional, and every sailor should be incredibly proud of what we've achieved together.

Representing the team in Newport will be:

Karyn Gojnich OLY – Team leader, Co-helm and Float
RSYS Vice Commodore and three-time Olympian

Annie Wilmot – Tactician
49erFX sailor campaigning for LA 2028 Olympics, port trimmer on Andoo Team Australia for the first ever Women's America's Cup.

Mina Ferguson – Co-helm
WAZSP Female Vice World Champion, currently campaigning for Moth World Championship

Emily Keg – Main trimmer
RSYS SKP graduate, Australian Women’s Match Racing winner and regular crew on RSYS Kerr 40 Minerva

Annabel Connery – Jib/Spinnaker Trimmer
RSYS SKP graduate, Sailing Champions League Youth Team member, J/70 sailor, regular crew on RSYS Kerr 40 Minerva

India Gilbert – Jib/Spinnaker Trimmer
RSYS SKP graduate, 420s, 470s, 49erFX, World Match Racing tour, Women’s World Match Racing tour, J70s, Etchells and yacht fleet racing. Campaigning in the International 470 for LA 2028 Olympics

Clare Crosswaite – Pit
Elliott 7 skipper, Elan S3, Far East 28, Etchells and J70 sailor.

Susan Hardy – Mast
Fleet racer, including RSYS yacht Andiamo!, 2026 RSYS Crewperson of the Year.

Vicki Kornman – Bow
One design sailing including ILCA Nationals, J70 State and Nationals,

The crew is supported by project manager and reserve sailor Susan Metcalf (Sydney 38 co-owner and skipper), and shore manager Amanda Hicks (Jeanneau 349 owner and skipper). Also, on standby in Newport will be Alexandra Ford, Danielle Gerace, Michelle McGrath and Angela Morrison.

This campaign belongs to every member of the squad.

Thank you to everyone who has invested in this journey; our sailors, coaches, owners, volunteers, families and supporters.

Thank you to our supporters who provided raffle and auction items, contributed purchasing raffle tickets, bidding on auction items and donating to the Squadron Foundation. Funds raised will assist our younger team members with airfares, accommodation and contribute to team expenses such as entry and the damage deposit.

There are still opportunities to support the team, if you would like to help please contact me via vice.commodore@rsys.com.au.

The NYYC Women’s International Championship is an extraordinary opportunity for the Squadron to accelerate our women’s sailing. It represents the pinnacle of our pathway program, from learn to sail, to one design sailing, the LOTS Regatta and Tuesday Twilights to high level international competition. Many of our female members, including our Academy and Squadron Keelboat Program sailors are already competing nationally, and internationally. The NYYC Regatta caps that pathway to elite sailing.

Sailing NYYC’s IC37s has allowed us to put together a training squad and select a crew that brings together sailors with a wide range of experience, from Olympic hopefuls to national competitors and emerging talent. Every squad member has shown tremendous enthusiasm, commitment to learning, and a drive to develop as a high‑performing team. We are proudly a development team, and I’m excited to see how far we can keep progressing and do well on the start line in Newport.

We're excited to take the next step and proudly represent our club and Australia on the international stage.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

https://www.facebook.com/LOTSladiesofthesea

https://www.instagram.com/lots_ladiesofthesea/

J/70 Fleet Delivers Outstanding Winter Racing on Sydney Harbour

2026-07-07T00:18:54Z

Sydney Harbour turned on two superb days of winter racing for the J/70 fleet, with competitors enjoying crisp conditions and close tactical battles throughout the weekend, 4 & 5 July.

The six-race series got underway at 9:30am each morning to make the most of the reliable winter breeze. Crews were challenged by changing pressure and subtle wind shifts across the course, rewarding sharp decision-making and precise boat handling. As is typical in J/70 racing, every metre counted, with only boat lengths separating much of the fleet at the finish.

After six highly competitive races, David Doherty's The Bull claimed overall honours, finishing just one point ahead of Kim Ketelbey's Anemology, while Stephen Ellis' Jouet completed the podium.

A welcome addition to the fleet was Rod Jones aboard Jaffa. Drawing on his extensive one-design experience in the Farr 40 and SB20 classes, Jones quickly demonstrated his racing pedigree, seamlessly joining the tightly contested fleet where every race was decided by the narrowest of margins.

One of the standout performances of the weekend came from Miles McLennan aboard Jedi. Saving his best until last, McLennan gambled on a favourable right-hand shift on the opening beat to round the first mark in the lead. A composed and disciplined race followed, with Jedi holding off the chasing pack to claim victory by just 13 seconds.

The weekend also highlighted the fleet's commitment to developing new sailors. Natasha Miller's Jabiru welcomed three Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron youth sailors aboard for a taste of J/70 racing. While coordinating mark roundings and asymmetric spinnaker sets presented a steep learning curve for the predominantly dinghy sailors, the team embraced the challenge. Their highlight? Reaching speeds of 14 knots downwind—and all three are already looking forward to returning.

Thank you to race officials Davis Ross, Phil Maloney, Nicholas Hogg and Kim Kitchen, whose professionalism ensured another successful weekend of racing. The close competition, outstanding sportsmanship and continued growth of the fleet reinforce why J/70 racing on Sydney Harbour remains one of Australia's premier one-design experiences.

We look forward to welcoming the fleet back to the start line for the next round on 1–2 August 2026.
Results

CYCA Match Cup Racing

2026-07-01T05:41:26Z

The RSYS Match Racing Squad competed at the 2026 CYCA Match Cup, taking on a highly competitive fleet in light and challenging conditions. The regatta provided valuable race experience and an excellent opportunity for our sailors to continue refining their match racing skills against quality opposition.

As one of the key winter preparation events, the Match Cup forms an important part of the squad's development ahead of the busy summer regatta season. Throughout the winter months, our sailors remain committed to regular training under the guidance of Neville Wittey, with a strong focus on boat handling, tactics, teamwork and race management.

The continued dedication of our sailors and coaching team has established RSYS as one of Australia's leading youth match racing programs, providing a proven pathway for sailors to develop their skills and compete at the highest level.

Congratulations to all sailors who represented RSYS with determination and professionalism. We look forward to seeing the squad continue their development and build towards a successful summer season.

Youth Member Olivia Lee's Journey to represent RSYS and Australia

2026-07-01T03:56:54Z

To represent Australia at a World Championship is a privilege, and for me, that moment is fast approaching, with a spot at the International 420 World Championship in Biscarrosse, France from 3–11 July 2026. Participation in this regatta is a core part of my training plan for Youth Worlds being held at Villamoura, Portugal from 11 – 19 December 2026. As I head over to France this week, I wanted to share a little about my journey so far.

I first started my sailing journey here at the Squadron learning through the Tackers program, racing in an Optimist and school sailing in the Pacers as part of the Wenona sailing team. I am now school sailing captain and race in the Squadron Keelboat Match Racing Program. While racing in the keelboat, I found myself looking for a two-hander dinghy as I enjoyed the competition of racing and being part of a team.

The 420 is a two person dinghy, with a skipper and crew. I enjoy the thrill of being on the trapeze, and the technical aspects of the boat.
On the water, we have been preparing for the regatta by focusing on our boat-handling skills, learning about race strategies and the tactical decision-making in race scenarios. In the Australian Nationals earlier this year, the fleet had 17 boats on the start line. Going to France, we are expecting over 200 boats, this is both exciting and terrifying!
.
.Off water there has been a lot of preparation as well with support programs at AIS and through school, focussing on goal setting, my individual development plan, fitness, mindset and reflective learning. There has also been a lot of logistical preparation getting flights, boats, sails, coach and rib lined up for our arrival in France!

A huge thank you to the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and Squadron members for their ongoing support. They have been part of my sailing story from the very beginning, and it means a great deal to represent them and Australia on the world stage. I couldn't be more grateful.

Olivia Lee
RSYS Youth Member

RSYS Youth Development Keelboat Squad Impresses in 2026 Interclub Series

2026-06-30T04:43:29Z

The RSYS Youth Development Keelboat Squad has completed the 2026 Youth Interclub Series with an outstanding second-place finish at the final regatta hosted by the CYCA, capping off a successful four-regatta series.

Hosted by Newcastle Yacht Club, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, the series provided a fantastic opportunity for emerging sailors to gain valuable keelboat racing experience against some of the state's strongest youth programs.
Having won the overall Interclub Series in each of the previous two years, RSYS deliberately took a different approach in 2026 by selecting a squad of predominantly new sailors. For many, this was their first-ever keelboat regatta, with the focus firmly on development, learning and building the next generation of RSYS youth sailors.

The improvement throughout the series was outstanding. Each regatta saw the team grow in confidence, teamwork and race management, culminating in an excellent second-place finish at the final event. More importantly, every sailor gained invaluable experience while proudly representing RSYS with professionalism, determination and sportsmanship both on and off the water.
The series has reinforced the strength of the RSYS youth development pathway, with sailors leaving the program motivated to continue their progression through the Club's youth keelboat, match racing and sailing programs.
Congratulations to all sailors, coaches and volunteers on another successful Youth Interclub Series and on continuing to build the future of sailing at RSYS.

NSW Optimist Winter Inter-Club

2026-06-30T04:40:03Z

The RSYS Optimist sailors have enjoyed a successful Winter Interclub Series, delivering outstanding performances across all fleets while continuing to demonstrate excellent improvement throughout the season.
The team claimed 1st place in the Intermediate Fleet and 1st place in the Green Fleet, with RSYS sailors securing four of the top six overall placings. In the highly competitive Open Fleet, RSYS also celebrated a 3rd place finish in the Girls division and an 11th overall placing, with sailors consistently moving up the rankings as the series progressed.

These results reflect the commitment of our sailors, coaches and families, with every competitor gaining valuable racing experience and confidence. Most importantly, it was fantastic to see our sailors representing the Club with enthusiasm, sportsmanship and a genuine enjoyment of the sport.
Congratulations to all sailors who represented RSYS throughout the series. Your effort, determination and positive attitude continue to strengthen the future of our Optimist program. Well sailed!

RSYS to Host the Inaugural OK Dingy Icebreaker Regatta

2026-06-23T03:53:03Z

On the mornings of 11 and 12 July, the Squadron will host the NSW OK Dinghy fleet for the inaugural Icebreaker Regatta. Member and OK dinghy sailor Matthew Ramaley worked with the Sailing Office to establish the event, filling a gap in the annual class regatta calendar.

'The OK Dinghy class enjoys a strong regatta program across three seasons, keeping us focused on big-fleet racing, but we identified the need for a mid-winter event,' Matthew said. 'The Squadron is ideally located in a wide section of the Harbour, allowing us to make the most of the early morning winter westerlies.'

Class organisers expect 20–25 boats from across NSW to compete in the regatta.

Originally developed in Scandinavia as a lighter-weight training boat for the Finn, the OK Dinghy class is experiencing strong growth worldwide. The 2025 World Championships on Lake Garda attracted more than 200 entries, requiring three separate fleets.

The class is popular for its relatively low cost, simple design and lightweight hull, which weighs just 85kg. Sailors can customise their carbon masts to suit a range of body weights and benefit from extensive mainsail controls, making the boat both accessible and highly tunable. Many sailors transition to the class from the ILCA.

'If you want to sail dinghies in a large, competitive fleet without spending the day dragging your backside through the water, while enjoying greater control over your mainsail shape, the OK ticks all the boxes,' Matthew said.

Members are encouraged to visit the fleet, inspect the boats and chat with the sailors as they prepare for racing. The class is renowned for its strong camaraderie and welcoming culture, with sailors keen to introduce new people to the sport and continue growing the NSW fleet.

Further information

J/70 Winter Sprint Racing

2026-06-20T05:17:59Z

A small fleet gathered for Round 1 the J/70 Winter Sprint series last weekend. The Harbour was glorious on Saturday and the light shifty northerly made it challenging for race officer Rob Ridley as well as competitors.

The Bull

Joe De Kock from Midcoast Boatyard took the opportunity to try the J/70, taking the helm of The Bull alongside a crew who had flown in from Tasmania.

Jabiru

Thanks to our race officials who were on the water supporting club racing over the weekend: Rob Ridley, Phil Maloney, David Ross, Aiden Young and Daniel Leupen.

Anemology

Next racing will be over the weekend of July 4 and 5, 2026. If you would like to find out more about J/70 visit:
J70australia.org
info@j70australia.org

View the results
Photos by Andrew Lee

Sail Trim and Sailing the IC37

2026-06-23T04:13:51Z

Andrew Parkes from North Sails joined Members for an evening of theory on sail trim. He was invited by our RSYS squad that is training for the New York Yacht Club’s Women’s International Championship. While focusing on the Melges IC37 the fundamentals are relevant for any boats we sail.

You can view the slide deck for the evening: North Sails - IC37 Sail Trim overview

Andrew then joined the girls onboard Mittere last Saturday to put the theory into practice.

Interclub Challenge - Round 2 at RSYS

2026-06-15T02:00:18Z

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron proudly hosted Round 2 of the Youth InterClub Challenge on Sunday 14 June, welcoming 40 youth sailors from across four leading clubs: RSYS, Newcastle Yacht Club, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

The event featured an eight-boat fleet racing format, with three competitive races completed in a challenging light westerly breeze. Sailors gained valuable keelboat racing experience while competing in close and tactical racing throughout the day.

RSYS was represented by 10 sailors, with teams continuing to develop their skills and teamwork against strong opposition from around the harbour and beyond. The event showcased the growth of youth keelboat racing and provided an outstanding opportunity for sailors to gain experience in a fun and supportive interclub environment.

Congratulations to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia team, who claimed victory in Round 2. RSYS finished a close second, just one point behind the winners, and will continue building momentum as the series progresses.

The InterClub Challenge now heads to Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for Round 3 next weekend, before concluding with the final round at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron thanks all participating sailors, coaches, volunteers and support crews for contributing to another successful Youth InterClub Challenge and looks forward to the remainder of the series.

Photographs by Andrew Lee

Training hard for New York Yacht Club's Women's International Championship

2026-06-15T00:24:49Z

In late 2025 Vice Commodore Karyn Gojnich OLY was one of just 20 elite women sailors from around the world invited to bring a team to the New York Yacht Club’s Women’s International Championship in September.

Through expressions of interest, 20 female RSYS members are training three times a week, with final crew selection to take place in July.
VC Gojnich commented ‘This is an outstanding opportunity to continue to develop women’s sailing at RSYS. We have a strong women’s program, starting from absolute beginners with opportunities to grow through to elite levels. We are very much a ‘development team’ however we are lifting the baseline for our squad, lifting awareness, lifting skills, lifting experience. . We are opening opportunities for women to get an insight into sailing at an elite level that will give them all confidence when stepping on to any boat in the future’.

The Championship will be sailed on the 20 IC37’s owned by the NYYC. Developed by the New York Yacht Club to foster high-performance Corinthian sailing, the IC37 has proven itself to be a highly appealing platform. There are just two of IC37’s in Australia, one of which has arrived at RSYS and is owned by Members Scott Lawson and David Ferguson.

Scott and David were looking for a performance boat for regatta rather than offshore racing.

Scott commented ‘We also wanted to provide a platform for young sailors to gain experience in modern racing yachts. We’re doing that by providing the boat for the Women’s International Championship teams from RSYS and RPAYC to promote women’s racing.

Scott confirms ‘These boats are a whole lot of fun and challenging at the same time! The design lends itself to extremely competitive performance sailing which tests expert sailors, while also being a wonderful training platform for less experienced sailors.

‘Our first regatta was the Sydney Harbour Regatta followed shortly after by the Port Stephen Sail week, which matched us up against boats in the newly formed and rapidly growing Super40 category. The team is incredibly happy to podium on both occasions. We’re thrilled to be supporting Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s campaign led by Vice Commodore Karyn Gojnich OLY, to participate in the New York Yacht Club’s Women’s International Championship in September’.

VC Gojnich acknowledged Scott and David’s support saying it is incredibly timely and generous. ‘Having the chance to train on the boat we will be racing is an enormous advantage’.

America’s Cup sailor, Olympian and club member Neville Wittey is also providing expert coaching and skills development for the RSYS team.

Members can support the NYYC campaign by coming along to the Studio 54 fun-raiser night at the club on 20 June (register via the Club ‘What’s On’ pages) or making a tax deductible donation via the Australian Sports Foundation website (noting NYYC in the Supporter message field).

Susan Metcalf